ConocoPhillips looks to reduce stakes in Australian LNG, Canadian oil sands

ConocoPhillips already announced plans to shed billions of dollars in assets to focus on core areas of its portfolio, particularly in unconventional formations in the US. The company plans to "rebalance" its portfolio over time and "lighten up" on these high costs projects in order to keep costs of supply low.

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By ALISON SIDER

ConocoPhillips plans to sell some parts of its stakes
in expensive projects such as the Australia Pacific LNG project and in the Canadian oil
sands, CEO Ryan Lance told analysts Thursday.

The company has already announced plans to shed billions of
dollars in assets to focus on core areas of its portfolio,
particularly in unconventional formations in the US.

The company plans to "rebalance" its portfolio over time and
"lighten up" on these high costs projects in order to keep costs of
supply low, Mr. Lance said Thursday.

The company aims to increase production and margins by 3% to
5% annually through 2017, he said.

Matt Fox, executive vice president for exploration and
production, said costs have crept up in Australia by about 7%
in Australian dollars, which is compounded by the that
currency's strength against the US dollar. The project is set
to deliver first cargo by mid-2015, he said.

Even with some reduction in the company's stake there, the
APLNG project is expected to add 80,000 bpd of oil
equivalent by 2017, Mr. Fox said.

ConocoPhillips's projection in the Canadian oil sands
is expected to double in the same period, even assuming the
company will dilute its stake there, Mr. Fox added.

Dow Jones Newswires

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